The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

CHAPTER III.THE BALTIC PROVINCES.(ESTHONIA, LlYON'IA, KvRLAXB.)HE three governments, collectively known as the " Baltic Provinces,"are separated by no natural landmarks from the rest of the empire.On the north-east alone, Lakes Pskov and Peipus, with the riverXarova, serve as the frontier-line towards the government of St.Petersburg.But on the south-east and south the boundaries, nowfollowing the course of a river, now crossing forests and marshes, are purelyconventional. In its lower course the Dvina waters Livonia and Kurland,but it has otherwise served in a very small degree to give the Baltic Provincestheir cohesion and common destiny. Such unity as they possess is derivedrather from the sea, which, through the Gulf of Riga, penetrates far inland,and washes all their coasts. By sea also came the German immigrants, who havesince become the chief landed proprietors, nobles, and traders, thus monopolizingthe bulk of the national wealth. Though no longer the political rulers, theseinvaders have retained a preponderating influence, due to their social standingand superior instruction, and they have thus imparted a special character to thecorner of the Russian Empire occupied by them. Through the indigenouselement these lands are further distinguished from the surrounding provinces,although Letts are also found in Vitebsk, Samojitians in Kovna, and Ehstes inSt. Petersburg.On the other hand, these governments possess no political autonomy, such asthat of Finland, nor even any administrative unity.Their general statistics havelong been fused with those of the rest of the empire, of which they form one of themost important districts, not in extent, but in relative population and commercialactivity.Physical Features.— River Basins.Though generally consisting of lowlands rising little above sea-level, they arestilJ varied by a few hilly tracts, forming a sort of water-parting between theBaltic plains and the interior, but interrupted at several points through which the